Student Opportunities

"So much of what we do as lawyers, in the technical sense, is looking at words, at the possibilities of words, at judgments, at law, and wondering what we can do with this. Human rights law is a macro version of that. It's asking, 'What are the opportunities for change? How can I build a world that is more compassionate and more thoughtful about the issues that really matter? How can I can I use my legal training to advance what some people see as a pipe dream, but what we see as reality? 'It is determining how I can take the skills I'm learning and bring them wherever I go... whether to a firm, a public interest organization, into aid, or the United Nations. If you're interested in moving for these ideas, the things that you can do are really limitless."
-- Alexis Ortiz

Students who participate in the Center for International Human Rights (CIHR) directly see the power they have to effect real change in the world. Through their work on a case before a tribunal or federal court, on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, or via an array of profoundly impactful opportunities, students gain first-hand experience ensuring justice for individuals denied basic human rights. In addition to receiving this profound international experience, work provides students with a wealth of legal tools and confidence, positioning them exceptionally for careers in international law.

The LLM Program in International Human Rights is designed for students with American JDs or law degrees from other countries who wish to undertake an in-depth study of the norms and methods of international human rights law, their implementation by international courts and organizations, and in domestic legal systems. The program has welcomed students from over 30 countries, including Chile, India, Guinea-Bissau, Panama, Spain, Eritrea, Mexico, Ghana, the Philippines, Uganda, Ethiopia, Italy, Tanzania, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Iraq, Indonesia, South Korea, China and Pakistan.

The Center also provides valuable clinical experiences for students interested in the protection of human rights on a global scale. Opportunities include researching and addressing emerging human right norms and related issues through International Externships and the International Law Concentration.